We all have seen the commercials and heard the hype about how some dating sites use “scientific” methods to match people based on personal characteristics, compatibility, and the like. But does this really work? Is there any evidence to show that there truly is a science to matchmaking? The answer is, it depends.

Let’s start with what it means to take a scientific approach to matching singles with each other. For paid online dating sites like eHarmony.com and Match.com, this means taking known research about the things that tend to cause marriages to fail (smoking, age differences, lack of common interests, etc.) and using this information to match people together. The theory is if they can minimize the problem areas that often lead to divorce in the first place, they can match singles more successfully and get better results.

The problem has been in actually verifying this as a successful matchmaking method. EHarmony.com and Match.com recently published their “success rates”, but these are put out there in terms such as the number of emails exchanged per year, the number of “winks” sent out each year, and the number of dates their users go on each year. This is interesting information (mostly for advertisers) but doesn’t necessarily help determine if their matching methods succeed where it really counts – helping you find someone special to share your life.

Do I think dating sites that use this approach are necessarily bad? No, of course not. There are plenty of singles who have found partners using this kind of approach. All I’m saying is it’s a good idea to have an objective view of what they’re offering and promising if you’re going to choose to use their services.

Relationships eHarmony, Match.com, Matchmaking, Science, Success

When times are tough, the tough don’t want to be home alone. After all, you can only look at your 401K statement and weep so many times. Instead of sitting by yourself, why not call up a matchmaker and make an investment that’s sure to pay off.

Love is still a hot ticket right now – especially for matchmakers. They’re finding more and more people who want to sign up for love – and pay for it.

It makes sense. Even though you might want to hide away, you can find love. Matchmakers find people who seem to share common interests and then arrange for meet-ups. Of course, you do want to know that these services don’t come cheap.

So that’s why people are turning to online dating to act as a matchmaker for them. By simply signing up with a few different sites and creating interesting and honest profiles, you will begin to have more dates than you know what to do with.

(And maybe a few free meals along the way.)

To act as your own matchmaker, be clear about the kind of person you want to meet and what you are expecting from the relationship. This is not the time to be vague or to be shy – get out there and start making dates.

Love isn’t going to come in your next 401K report, so you need to start matchmaking to ensure your life isn’t completely without value until the market rebounds.

Dating Essentials Love, Matchmaking, Money

Lavalife.com is one of the newer online dating and relationship websites, offering a choice of platonic, romantic and discreet encounters. One can sign up for free, create a customized profile and then browse the profiles of others. One distinctive trait of Lavalife.com that sets it apart from other dating sites is the credit system required for email and instant message privileges. A minimum of 5 credits are necessary in order for members to make contact. A minimum purchase of fifty credits will run $14.99. The site is easily navigable and offers articles on dating and interactive web polls. Instant messaging allows for quick contact with a prospective match.

Lavalife.com is a newer, hipper online dating site that offers much in the way of high-tech features. The unique credit system helps to ensure that contacts are thought out and not made irresponsibly or on a whim. The end result is a finer quality dating community.

Do you have any comments, complaints or something to say about Lavalife.com? Did you meet someone special on this site? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Your opinion matters!

Leave a comment on: LavaLife.com.

Reviews Casual, Dating Websites, Fling, LavaLife.com, Matchmaking